Antifungal compound process

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for preparing compound 1 that is useful as an antifungal agent. In particular, the invention seeks to provide new methodology for preparing compound 1 and substituted derivatives thereof.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/126,420filed Sep. 15, 2016, which is the U.S. National Stage Application,pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No.PCT/US2015/021511, filed Mar. 19, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/955,650 filed Mar. 19, 2014,the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was created in the performance of a Cooperative Researchand Development Agreement with the National Institutes of Health, anAgency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Government ofthe United States has certain rights in this invention.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing compound 1 thatis useful as an antifungal agent. In particular, the invention seeks toprovide a new methodology for preparing compound 1 and substitutedderivatives thereof.

BACKGROUND

Living organisms have developed tightly regulated processes thatspecifically import metals, transport them to intracellular storagesites and ultimately transport them to sites of use. One of the mostimportant functions of metals such as zinc and iron in biologicalsystems is to enable the activity of metalloenzymes. Metalloenzymes areenzymes that incorporate metal ions into the enzyme active site andutilize the metal as a part of the catalytic process. More thanone-third of all characterized enzymes are metalloenzymes.

The function of metalloenzymes is highly dependent on the presence ofthe metal ion in the active site of the enzyme. It is well recognizedthat agents which bind to and inactivate the active site metal iondramatically decrease the activity of the enzyme. Nature employs thissame strategy to decrease the activity of certain metalloenzymes duringperiods in which the enzymatic activity is undesirable. For example, theprotein TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases) binds to the zincion in the active site of various matrix metalloprotease enzymes andthereby arrests the enzymatic activity. The pharmaceutical industry hasused the same strategy in the design of therapeutic agents. For example,the azole antifungal agents fluconazole and voriconazole contain a1-(1,2,4-triazole) group that binds to the heme iron present in theactive site of the target enzyme lanosterol demethylase and therebyinactivates the enzyme.

In the design of clinically safe and effective metalloenzyme inhibitors,use of the most appropriate metal-binding group for the particulartarget and clinical indication is critical. If a weakly bindingmetal-binding group is utilized, potency may be suboptimal. On the otherhand, if a very tightly binding metal-binding group is utilized,selectivity for the target enzyme versus related metalloenzymes may besuboptimal. The lack of optimal selectivity can be a cause for clinicaltoxicity due to unintended inhibition of these off-targetmetalloenzymes. One example of such clinical toxicity is the unintendedinhibition of human drug metabolizing enzymes such as CYP2C9, CYP2C19and CYP3A4 by the currently-available azole antifungal agents such asfluconazole and voriconazole. It is believed that this off-targetinhibition is caused primarily by the indiscriminate binding of thecurrently utilized 1-(1,2,4-triazole) to iron in the active site ofCYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Another example of this is the joint painthat has been observed in many clinical trials of matrixmetalloproteinase inhibitors. This toxicity is considered to be relatedto inhibition of off-target metalloenzymes due to indiscriminate bindingof the hydroxamic acid group to zinc in the off-target active sites.

Therefore, the search for metal-binding groups that can achieve a betterbalance of potency and selectivity remains an important goal and wouldbe significant in the realization of therapeutic agents and methods toaddress currently unmet needs in treating and preventing diseases,disorders and symptoms thereof. Similarly, methods of synthesizing suchtherapeutic agents on the laboratory and, ultimately, commercial scaleis needed. Addition of metal-based nucleophiles (Zn, Zr, Ce, Ti, Mg, Mn,Li) to azole-methyl substituted ketones have been effected in thesynthesis of voriconazole (M. Butters, Org. Process Res. Dev. 2001, 5,28-36). The nucleophile in these examples was an ethyl-pyrimidinesubstrate. Similarly, optically active azole-methyl epoxide has beenprepared as precursor electrophile toward the synthesis of ravuconazole(A. Tsuruoka, Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1998, 46, 623-630). Despite this, thedevelopment of methodology with improved efficiency and selectivity isdesirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed toward methods of synthesis of 1 or 1a. Themethods can comprise the compounds herein. A first aspect of theinvention relates to a process for preparing a compound of formula 1, ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, complex or prodrugthereof.

The compounds herein include those wherein the compound is identified asattaining affinity, at least in part, for a metalloenzyme by formationof one or more of the following types of chemical interactions or bondsto a metal: sigma bonds, covalent bonds, coordinate-covalent bonds,ionic bonds, pi bonds, delta bonds, or backbonding interactions.

Methods for assessing metal-ligand binding interactions are known in theart as exemplified in references including, for example, “Principles ofBioinorganic Chemistry” by Lippard and Berg, University Science Books,(1994); “Mechanisms of Inorganic Reactions” by Basolo and Pearson JohnWiley & Sons Inc; 2nd edition (September 1967); “Biological InorganicChemistry” by Ivano Bertini, Harry Gray, Ed Stiefel, Joan Valentine,University Science Books (2007); Xue et al. “Nature Chemical Biology”,vol. 4, no. 2, 107-109 (2008).

In the following aspects, reference is made to the schemes and compoundsherein, including the reagents and reaction conditions delineatedherein. Other aspects include any of the compounds, reagents,transformations or methods thereof delineated in the examples herein (inwhole or in part), including as embodiments with single elements (e.g.,compounds or transformations) or embodiments including multiple elements(e.g., compounds or transformations).

In one aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare a compound offormula II:

comprising epoxide opening of a compound of formula I:

to provide a compound of formula II;wherein R is

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepareamino-alcohol 1-6 or 1-7, or a mixture thereof:

comprising arylation of substituted pyridine 4b or 4c, or a mixturethereof:

to provide compound 1-6 or 1-7, or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula IV:

comprising olefination of a compound of formula III:

to provide a compound of formula IV;wherein R is

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula V or Va, or a mixture thereof:

comprising dihydroxylation of a compound of formula IV:

to provide a compound of formula V or Va, or a mixture thereof;wherein R is

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula VI or VIa, or a mixture thereof:

comprising activation of the primary alcohol of a compound of formula Vor Va, or a mixture thereof:

to a provide a compound of formula VI or VIa, or a mixture thereof;

wherein R is

and

each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula VII or VIIa, or a mixture thereof:

comprising ring closure of a compound of formula VI or VIa, or a mixturethereof:

to provide a compound of formula VII or VIIa, or a mixture thereof;

wherein R is

and

each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process of enriching theenantiomeric purity of an enantiomeric compound mixture, comprising:

-   -   (i) crystallizing said enantiomeric compound mixture with a        chiral acid in a suitable solvent or solvent mixture, wherein:        -   the suitable solvent or solvent mixture is selected from            acetonitrile, isopropanol, ethanol, water, methanol, or            combinations thereof; and        -   the enantiomeric compound mixture comprises

and

-   -   (ii) isolating the enantio-enriched compound mixture    -   (iii) reslurrying the enantio-enriched chiral salt mixture in a        slurrying solvent or slurrying solvent mixture; and    -   (iv) free-basing the enantio-enriched chiral salt mixture to        provide the enantio-enriched compound mixture.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a process of enriching theenantiomeric purity of an enantiomeric compound mixture, comprising:

-   -   (i) crystallizing said enantiomeric compound mixture with a        chiral acid in a suitable solvent or solvent mixture, wherein:        -   the suitable solvent or solvent mixture is selected from            acetonitrile, isopropanol, ethanol, water, methanol, or            combinations thereof; and        -   the enantiomeric compound mixture comprises

and

-   -   (ii) isolating the enantio-enriched compound mixture; and    -   (iii) free-basing the enantio-enriched chiral salt mixture to        provide the enantio-enriched compound mixture.

In another aspect, the chiral acid from any embodiment presented hereinis selected from the group consisting of tartaric acid,di-benzoyltartaric acid, malic acid, camphoric acid, camphorsulfonicacid, ascorbic acid, and di-p-toluoyltartaric acid;

In another aspect, the suitable solvent or solvent mixture from anyembodiments presented herein is 1-propanol, 1-butanol, ethyl acetate,tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, toluene, methyltert-butylether, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, 1,4-dioxane,1,2-dimethoxyethane, isopropyl acetate, heptane, hexane, cyclohexane, oroctane, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the slurrying solvent solvent or slurrying solventmixture from any embodiments presented herein is 1-propanol, 1-butanol,ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, toluene, methyltert-butylether, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, 1,4-dioxane,1,2-dimethoxyethane, isopropyl acetate, heptane, hexane, cyclohexane, oroctane, or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the suitable solvent or solvent mixture from anyembodiments presented herein is a) acetonitrile or b) a mixture ofacetonitrile and isopropanol. Alternatively, another aspect is where themixture of acetonitrile and methanol comprises 80-90% acetonitrile and10-20% isopropanol.

In another aspect, the slurrying solvent or slurrying solvent mixturefrom any embodiments presented herein is a) acetonitrile or b) a mixtureof acetonitrile and isopropanol. Alternatively, another aspect is wherethe mixture of acetonitrile and isopropanol comprises 80-90%acetonitrile and 10-20% isopropanol.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising converting amide 2c:

to compound 1 or 1a, or mixtures thereof;

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;

A is N(OMe)Me, NR₈R₉, or

p is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

q is 1, 2, 3, or 4;

each R₈ and R₉ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, or substituted heteroaryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising converting amide 2c:

to compound 1 or 1a, or mixtures thereof;

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;

B is N(OMe)Me, NR₈R₉, or

X is O, NR₈, or S;

r is 2, 3, or 4;

s is 2, 3, or 4;

each R₈ and R₉ are each independently H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl,substituted aryl, heteroaryl, or substituted heteroaryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising converting morpholine amide 2b:

to compound 1 or 1a, or mixtures thereof;

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process comprising reactingmorpholine amide 2b:

with

wherein M is Mg or MgX; and X is halogen;to provide compound 1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process comprising reactingmorpholine amide 2b:

with

wherein M is Mg or MgX, Li, AlX₂; and X is halogen, alkyl, or aryl;to provide compound 1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may compriseamidation of ester 2:

to provide morpholine amide 2b:

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may compriseamidation of ester 2d:

to provide morpholine amide 2b:

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl; and

R₈ is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl,or substituted heteroaryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisereacting ester 2:

with morpholine to provide morpholine amide 2b:

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising epoxide-opening of a compound of formula I, VII or VIIa:

to provide a compound of formula II, VIII or VIIIa:

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or mixtures thereof:

comprising forming the tetrazole of substituted-pyridine 4d or 4e, or amixture thereof:

to tetrazole 6c or 6d,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising the arylation of amino-alcohol 4b or 4c,

or a mixture thereof,to amino aryl-pyridine 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising converting a compound of formula Vb or Vc, or a mixturethereof:

to compound 1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare compound1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

comprising converting a compound of formula 15:

to compound 1 or 1a;

wherein R₁ is halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl,—O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or—O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisereacting a compound of formula IVa:

under asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions to provide a compound offormula Vb or Vc, or mixtures thereof:

wherein the asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions comprise:

(i) AD-mix alpha or AD-mix beta; or

(ii) a first oxidant in catalytic amount, a second oxidant instoichiometric amount, a base, and a chiral ligand; and

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisea process, wherein:

(i) the first oxidant in catalytic amount is OsO₄ or K₂OsO₂(OH)₄;

(ii) the second oxidant in stoichiometric amount is K₃Fe(CN)₆ orN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide;

(iii) the base is Cs₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃ or NaHCO₃; and

(iv) the chiral ligand is selected from the group consisting of(DHQ)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂AQN, (DHQ)₂AQN, (DHQD)₂PYR, and(DHQ)₂PYR.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisea process, wherein the chiral ligand is selected from the groupconsisting of (DHQ)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂AQN, and (DHQD)₂PYR.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisethe addition of MeSO₂NH₂.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisea process comprising converting a compound of formula VIb or VIc, or amixture thereof:

to a compound of formula VII or VIIa, or a mixture thereof:

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;andY is —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl, —OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substitutedaryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisea process comprising:

(i) activating the primary alcohol of 2-6a or 2-6c,

or a mixture thereof, to provide a compound of formula 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein Y is —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl, —OSO₂-aryl,—OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen;

(ii) ring-closing of a compound of 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof, to provide epoxide 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof;

(iii) ring-opening epoxide 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof, to provide amino-alcohol 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof; and

(iv) forming the tetrazole of amino-alcohol 1-6* or 1-7*

to provide compound 1 or 1a,

or a mixture thereof.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisea process comprising:

(i) activating the primary alcohol 2-6b or 2-6d,

or a mixture thereof, to provide a compound of formula 2-7b or 2-7d,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen;

(ii) ring-closing of compound 2-7b or 2-7d,

or a mixture thereof, to provide epoxide 4* or 4c*,

or a mixture thereof;

(iii) ring-opening epoxide 4* or 4c*,

or a mixture thereof, to provide amino-alcohol 4b or 4c,

or a mixture thereof;

(iv) arylating amino-alcohol 4b or 4c,

or a mixture thereof, to provide aryl-pyridine 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof; and

(v) forming the tetrazole of amino-alcohol 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof, to provide compound 1 or 1a,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₁ is independently halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl,—O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl,—O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-aryl,—O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl, —O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl,—O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of formula IVb:

wherein R is

and

each R₁₂ is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionallysubstituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally substitutedhetrocyclyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of formula VI* orVIa*, or a mixture thereof:

wherein R is

each Y₁ is independently OH, —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen; and

each R₁₂ is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionallysubstituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substitutedheteroaryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally substitutedheterocyclyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula IX or IXa, or a mixture thereof, comprising:

(i) combining compound 1 or 1a,

or a mixture thereof, a sulfonic acid

and a crystallization solvent or crystallization solvent mixture;

(ii) diluting the mixture from step (i) with a crystallizationco-solvent or crystallization co-solvent mixture; and

(iii)isolating a compound of formula IX or IXa, or a mixture thereof;

wherein each Z is independently aryl, substituted aryl, alkyl, orsubstituted alkyl.

In another aspect, the invention provides a process to prepare acompound of formula 5* or 5b*, or a

mixture thereof, the method comprising converting a compound of formulaIVa,

wherein R₂ is

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisereacting a compound of formula IVa:

under asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions to provide a compound offormula Vb or Vc, or mixtures thereof:

wherein the asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions comprise:

(i) AD-mix alpha or AD-mix beta; or

(ii) a first oxidant in catalytic amount, a second oxidant instoichiometric amount, a base, and a chiral ligand; and

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may compriseconverting a compound of formula Vb or Vc. or a mixture thereof:

to provide a compound of formula of 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may furthercomprise:

(i) arylating a compound of formula IVa,

to afford a compound of formula IV,

(ii) dihydroxylating IV,

to afford a compound of formula V or Va,

or a mixture thereof;

(iii) activating the primary alcohol of a compound of formula V or Va,

or a mixture thereof, to provide a compound of formula 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof; and

(iv) ring-closing of a compound of formula 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof, to afford a compound of formula of 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein R is

each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;and

each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another aspect, Z from any of the embodiments presented herein isphenyl, p-tolyl, methyl, or ethyl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may furthercomprise:

(i) dihydroxylating a compound of formula IVa,

to afford a compound of formula Vb or Vc,

or a mixture thereof;

(ii) arylating a compound of formula Vb or Vc,

or a mixture thereof, to afford a compound of formula V or Va,

or a mixture thereof;

(iii) activating the primary alcohol of a compound of formula V or Va,

or a mixture thereof, to provide a compound of formula 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof; and

(iv) ring-closing of a compound of formula 2-7a or 2-7c,

or a mixture thereof, to afford a compound of formula of 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein R is

each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;and

each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may furthercomprise:

(i) dihydroxylating a compound of formula IVa,

to afford a compound of formula Vb or Vc,

or a mixture thereof;

(ii) activating the primary alcohol of a compound of formula Vb or Vc,

or a mixture thereof, to afford a compound of formula VIb or VIc,

or a mixture thereof;

(iii) ring-closing of a compound of formula VIb or VIc,

or a mixture thereof, to provide a compound of formula VII or VIIa,

or a mixture thereof; and

(iv) arylating a compound of formula VII or VIIa,

or a mixture thereof, to afford a compound of formula 5* or 5b*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl;and

each Y is independently —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may furthercomprise:

(i) ring opening of a compound of formula VII or VIIa,

or a mixture thereof, to afford 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof;

wherein each R₂ is independently

halo, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substituted alkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl,—O(C═O)-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)—O-alkyl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted alkyl,—O(C═O)—O-aryl, —O(C═O)—O-substituted aryl, —O(SO₂)-alkyl,—O(SO₂)-substituted alkyl, —O(SO₂)-aryl, or —O(SO₂)-substituted aryl.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may furthercomprise:

(i) forming the tetrazole of 1-6* or 1-7*,

or a mixture thereof to afford compound 1 or 1a, or a mixture thereof:

In another aspect, the crystalization solvent or crystallization solventmixture from any of the embodiments presented herein is ethyl acetate,isopropyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, or acetonitrile, or combinationsthereof.

In another aspect, the crystallization co-solvent or crystallizationco-solvent mixture from any of the embodiments presented herein ispentane, methyl t-butylether, hexane, heptane, or toluene, orcombinations thereof.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may compriserepeating the enantio-enrichment step(s) until desired level ofenantio-enrichment is attained.

In another aspect, Y in any of the embodiments presented herein may bemesylate or tosylate.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisesubstituting morpholine-amide 2b with amide 2c.

In another aspect, any of the embodiments presented herein may comprisesubstituting ethyl ester 2 with ester 2d.

In other aspects, the invention provides a compound of any of theformulae herein, wherein the compound inhibits (or is identified toinhibit) lanosterol demethylase (CYP51).

In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound of any formulae herein and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

In other aspects, the invention provides a method of modulatingmetalloenzyme activity in a subject, comprising contacting the subjectwith a compound of any formulae herein, in an amount and underconditions sufficient to modulate metalloenzyme activity.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subjectsuffering from or susceptible to a metalloenzyme-related disorder ordisease, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount ofa compound or pharmaceutical composition of any formulae herein.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subjectsuffering from or susceptible to a metalloenzyme-related disorder ordisease, wherein the subject has been identified as in need of treatmentfor a metalloenzyme-related disorder or disease, comprisingadministering to said subject in need thereof, an effective amount of acompound or pharmaceutical composition of any formulae herein, such thatsaid subject is treated for said disorder.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a subjectsuffering from or susceptible to a metalloenzyme-mediated disorder ordisease, wherein the subject has been identified as in need of treatmentfor a metalloenzyme-mediated disorder or disease, comprisingadministering to said subject in need thereof, an effective amount of acompound or pharmaceutical composition of any formulae herein, such thatmetalloenzyme activity in said subject is modulated (e.g., downregulated, inhibited). In another aspect, the compounds delineatedherein preferentially target cancer cells over nontransformed cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

The term “chiral” refers to molecules which have the property ofnon-superimposability of the mirror image partner, while the term“achiral” refers to molecules which are superimposable on their mirrorimage partner.

The term “diastereomers” refers to stereoisomers with two or morecenters of dissymmetry and whose molecules are not mirror images of oneanother.

The term “enantiomers” refers to two stereoisomers of a compound whichare non-superimposable mirror images of one another. An equimolarmixture of two enantiomers is called a “racemic mixture” or a“racemate.”

The term “isomers” or “stereoisomers” refers to compounds which haveidentical chemical constitution, but differ with regard to thearrangement of the atoms or groups in space.

The term “prodrug” includes compounds with moieties which can bemetabolized in vivo. Generally, the prodrugs are metabolized in vivo byesterases or by other mechanisms to active drugs. Examples of prodrugsand their uses are well known in the art (See, e.g., Berge et al. (1977)“Pharmaceutical Salts”, J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19). The prodrugs can beprepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of thecompounds, or by separately reacting the purified compound in its freeacid form or hydroxyl with a suitable esterifying agent. Hydroxyl groupscan be converted into esters via treatment with a carboxylic acid.Examples of prodrug moieties include substituted and unsubstituted,branch or unbranched lower alkyl ester moieties, (e.g., propionoic acidesters), lower alkenyl esters, di-lower alkyl-amino lower-alkyl esters(e.g., dimethylaminoethyl ester), acylamino lower alkyl esters (e.g.,acetyloxymethyl ester), acyloxy lower alkyl esters (e.g.,pivaloyloxymethyl ester), aryl esters (phenyl ester), aryl-lower alkylesters (e.g., benzyl ester), substituted (e.g., with methyl, halo, ormethoxy substituents) aryl and aryl-lower alkyl esters, amides,lower-alkyl amides, di-lower alkyl amides, and hydroxy amides. Preferredprodrug moieties are propionoic acid esters and acyl esters. Prodrugswhich are converted to active forms through other mechanisms in vivo arealso included. In aspects, the compounds of the invention are prodrugsof any of the formulae herein.

The term “subject” refers to animals such as mammals, including, but notlimited to, primates (e.g., humans), cows, sheep, goats, horses, dogs,cats, rabbits, rats, mice and the like. In certain embodiments, thesubject is a human.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in thisapplication, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “asample” includes a plurality of samples, unless the context clearly isto the contrary (e.g., a plurality of samples), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the words “comprise,”“comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about,” when referring to a value is meant toencompass variations of, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in someembodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specifiedamount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosedmethods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Use of the word “inhibitor” herein is meant to mean a molecule thatexhibits activity for inhibiting a metalloenzyme. By “inhibit” herein ismeant to decrease the activity of metalloenzyme, as compared to theactivity of metalloenzyme in the absence of the inhibitor. In someembodiments, the term “inhibit” means a decrease in metalloenzymeactivity of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%,at least about 25%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at leastabout 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or at least about95%. In other embodiments, inhibit means a decrease in metalloenzymeactivity of about 5% to about 25%, about 25% to about 50%, about 50% toabout 75%, or about 75% to 100%. In some embodiments, inhibit means adecrease in metalloenzyme activity of about 95% to 100%, e.g., adecrease in activity of 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%. Such decreasescan be measured using a variety of techniques that would be recognizableby one of skill in the art. Particular assays for measuring individualactivity are described below.

Furthermore the compounds of the invention include olefins having eithergeometry: “Z” refers to what is referred to as a “cis” (same side)configuration whereas “E” refers to what is referred to as a “trans”(opposite side) configuration. With respect to the nomenclature of achiral center, the terms “d” and “1” configuration are as defined by theIUPAC Recommendations. As to the use of the terms, diastereomer,racemate, epimer and enantiomer, these will be used in their normalcontext to describe the stereochemistry of preparations.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a straight-chained orbranched hydrocarbon group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The term“lower alkyl” refers to a C1-C6 alkyl chain. Examples of alkyl groupsinclude methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and n-pentyl.Alkyl groups may be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents.

The term “alkenyl” refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain that maybe a straight chain or branched chain, containing 2 to 12 carbon atomsand at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Alkenyl groups may beoptionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The term “alkynyl” refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbon chain that maybe a straight chain or branched chain, containing the 2 to 12 carbonatoms and at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. Alkynyl groups may beoptionally substituted with one or more substituents.

The sp² or sp carbons of an alkenyl group and an alkynyl group,respectively, may optionally be the point of attachment of the alkenylor alkynyl groups.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl radical.

As used herein, the term “halogen”, “hal” or “halo” means —F, —Cl, —Bror —I.

The term “haloalkoxy” refers to an —O-alkyl radical that is substitutedby one or more halo substituents. Examples of haloalkoxy groups includetrifluoromethoxy, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a hydrocarbon 3-8 membered monocyclic or7-14 membered bicyclic ring system having at least one saturated ring orhaving at least one non-aromatic ring, wherein the non-aromatic ring mayhave some degree of unsaturation. Cycloalkyl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents. In one embodiment, 0, 1, 2,3, or 4 atoms of each ring of a cycloalkyl group may be substituted by asubstituent. Representative examples of cycloalkyl group includecyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclobutyl, cycloheptyl,cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, and thelike.

The term “aryl” refers to a hydrocarbon monocyclic, bicyclic ortricyclic aromatic ring system. Aryl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents. In one embodiment, 0, 1, 2,3, 4, 5 or 6 atoms of each ring of an aryl group may be substituted by asubstituent. Examples of aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl,anthracenyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, azulenyl, and the like.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic 5-8 membered monocyclic,8-12 membered bicyclic, or 11-14 membered tricyclic ring system having1-4 ring heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-6 heteroatoms if bicyclic, or 1-9heteroatoms if tricyclic, said heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S, andthe remainder ring atoms being carbon (with appropriate hydrogen atomsunless otherwise indicated). Heteroaryl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents. In one embodiment, 0, 1, 2,3, or 4 atoms of each ring of a heteroaryl group may be substituted by asubstituent. Examples of heteroaryl groups include pyridyl, furanyl,thienyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, imidazolyl thiazolyl,isoxazolyl, quinolinyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridazinyl,pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, isoquinolinyl, indazolyl, and thelike.

The term “nitrogen-containing heteroaryl” refers to a heteroaryl grouphaving 1-4 ring nitrogen heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-6 ring nitrogenheteroatoms if bicyclic, or 1-9 ring nitrogen heteroatoms if tricyclic.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” refers to a nonaromatic 3-8 memberedmonocyclic, 7-12 membered bicyclic, or 10-14 membered tricyclic ringsystem comprising 1-3 heteroatoms if monocyclic, 1-6 heteroatoms ifbicyclic, or 1-9 heteroatoms if tricyclic, said heteroatoms selectedfrom O, N, S, B, P or Si, wherein the nonaromatic ring system iscompletely saturated. Heterocycloalkyl groups may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents. In one embodiment, 0, 1, 2,3, or 4 atoms of each ring of a heterocycloalkyl group may besubstituted by a substituent. Representative heterocycloalkyl groupsinclude piperidinyl, piperazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl,thiomorpholinyl, 1,3-dioxolane, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl,thiirenyl, and the like.

The term “alkylamino” refers to an amino substituent which is furthersubstituted with one or two alkyl groups. The term “aminoalkyl” refersto an alkyl substituent which is further substituted with one or moreamino groups. The term “hydroxyalkyl” or “hydroxylalkyl” refers to analkyl substituent which is further substituted with one or more hydroxylgroups. The alkyl or aryl portion of alkylamino, aminoalkyl,mercaptoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, mercaptoalkoxy, sulfonylalkyl,sulfonylaryl, alkylcarbonyl, and alkylcarbonylalkyl may be optionallysubstituted with one or more substituents.

Acids and bases useful in the methods herein are known in the art. Acidcatalysts are any acidic chemical, which can be inorganic (e.g.,hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric acids, aluminum trichloride) or organic(e.g., camphorsulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, acetic acid,ytterbium triflate) in nature. Acids are useful in either catalytic orstoichiometric amounts to facilitate chemical reactions. Bases are anybasic chemical, which can be inorganic (e.g., sodium bicarbonate,potassium hydroxide) or organic (e.g., triethylamine, pyridine) innature. Bases are useful in either catalytic or stoichiometric amountsto facilitate chemical reactions.

Alkylating agents are any reagent that is capable of effecting thealkylation of the functional group at issue (e.g., oxygen atom of analcohol, nitrogen atom of an amino group). Alkylating agents are knownin the art, including in the references cited herein, and include alkylhalides (e.g., methyl iodide, benzyl bromide or chloride), alkylsulfates (e.g., methyl sulfate), or other alkyl group-leaving groupcombinations known in the art. Leaving groups are any stable speciesthat can detach from a molecule during a reaction (e.g., eliminationreaction, substitution reaction) and are known in the art, including inthe references cited herein, and include halides (e.g., I—, Cl—, Br—,F—), hydroxy, alkoxy (e.g., —OMe, —O-t-Bu), acyloxy anions (e.g., —OAc,—OC(O)CF₃), sulfonates (e.g., mesyl, tosyl), acetamides (e.g.,—NHC(O)Me), carbamates (e.g., N(Me)C(O)Ot-Bu), phosphonates (e.g.,—OP(O)(OEt)₂), water or alcohols (protic conditions), and the like.

In certain embodiments, substituents on any group (such as, for example,alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl) can be at any atom of that group, whereinany group that can be substituted (such as, for example, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl) can be optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents (which may be the same or different), each replacing ahydrogen atom. Examples of suitable substituents include, but are notlimited to alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, halogen, haloalkyl, cyano,nitro, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxyl, hydroxylalkyl, oxo (i.e., carbonyl),carboxyl, formyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,alkylcarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryloxycarbonyl,thio, mercapto, mercaptoalkyl, aryl sulfonyl, amino, aminoalkyl,dialkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkylaminocarbonyl,alkoxycarbonylamino, alkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, alkylcarbonyl,or arylamino-substituted aryl; arylalkylamino, aralkylaminocarbonyl,amido, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl, dialkylaminosulfonyl,alkylsulfonylamino, arylsulfonylamino, imino, carbamido, carbamyl,thioureido, thiocyanato, sulfoamido, sulfonylalkyl, sulfonylaryl,mercaptoalkoxy, N-hydroxyamidinyl, or N′-aryl, N″-hydroxyamidinyl.

Compounds of the invention can be made by means known in the art oforganic synthesis. Methods for optimizing reaction conditions, ifnecessary minimizing competing by-products, are known in the art.Reaction optimization and scale-up may advantageously utilize high-speedparallel synthesis equipment and computer-controlled microreactors (e.g.Design And Optimization in Organic Synthesis, 2^(nd) Edition, Carlson R,Ed, 2005; Elsevier Science Ltd.; Jahnisch, K et al, Angew. Chem. Int.Ed. Engl. 2004 43: 406; and references therein). Additional reactionschemes and protocols may be determined by the skilled artesian by useof commercially available structure-searchable database software, forinstance, SciFinder® (CAS division of the American Chemical Society) andCrossFire Beilstein® (Elsevier MDL), or by appropriate keyword searchingusing an internet search engine such as Google® or keyword databasessuch as the US Patent and Trademark Office text database. The inventionincludes the intermediate compounds used in making the compounds of theformulae herein as well as methods of making such compounds andintermediates, including without limitation those as specificallydescribed in the examples herein.

The compounds herein may also contain linkages (e.g., carbon-carbonbonds) wherein bond rotation is restricted about that particularlinkage, e.g. restriction resulting from the presence of a ring ordouble bond. Accordingly, all cis/trans and E/Z isomers are expresslyincluded in the present invention. The compounds herein may also berepresented in multiple tautomeric forms, in such instances, theinvention expressly includes all tautomeric forms of the compoundsdescribed herein, even though only a single tautomeric form may berepresented. All such isomeric forms of such compounds herein areexpressly included in the present invention. All crystal forms andpolymorphs of the compounds described herein are expressly included inthe present invention. Also embodied are extracts and fractionscomprising compounds of the invention. The term isomers is intended toinclude diastereoisomers, enantiomers, regioisomers, structural isomers,rotational isomers, tautomers, and the like. For compounds which containone or more stereogenic centers, e.g., chiral compounds, the methods ofthe invention may be carried out with an enantiomerically enrichedcompound, a racemate, or a mixture of diastereomers.

Preferred enantiomerically enriched compounds have an enantiomericexcess of 50% or more, more preferably the compound has an enantiomericexcess of 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% or more. In preferredembodiments, only one enantiomer or diastereomer of a chiral compound ofthe invention is administered to cells or a subject.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In one aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound of any formulae herein and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition further comprising an additional therapeutic agent. In afurther embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent is an anti-canceragent, antifungal agent, cardiovascular agent, antiinflammatory agent,chemotherapeutic agent, an anti-angiogenesis agent, cytotoxic agent, ananti-proliferation agent, metabolic disease agent, opthalmologic diseaseagent, central nervous system (CNS) disease agent, urologic diseaseagent, or gastrointestinal disease agent.

In one aspect, the invention provides a kit comprising an effectiveamount of a compound of any formulae herein, in unit dosage form,together with instructions for administering the compound to a subjectsuffering from or susceptible to a metalloenzyme-mediated disease ordisorder, including cancer, solid tumor, cardiovascular disease,inflammatory disease, infectious disease. In other embodiments thedisease, disorder or symptom thereof is metabolic disease, opthalmologicdisease, central nervous system (CNS) disease, urologic disease, orgastrointestinal disease.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” or “pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier” is meant to include salts of the active compoundswhich are prepared with relatively nontoxic acids or bases, depending onthe particular substituents found on the compounds described herein.When compounds of the present invention contain relatively acidicfunctionalities, base addition salts can be obtained by contacting theneutral form of such compounds with a sufficient amount of the desiredbase, either neat or in a suitable inert solvent. Examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts include sodium,potassium, calcium, ammonium, organic amino, or magnesium salt, or asimilar salt. When compounds of the present invention contain relativelybasic functionalities, acid addition salts can be obtained by contactingthe neutral form of such compounds with a sufficient amount of thedesired acid, either neat or in a suitable inert solvent. Examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those derivedfrom inorganic acids like hydrochloric, hydrobromic, nitric, carbonic,monohydrogencarbonic, phosphoric, monohydrogenphosphoric,dihydrogenphosphoric, sulfuric, monohydrogensulfuric, hydroiodic, orphosphorous acids and the like, as well as the salts derived fromrelatively nontoxic organic acids like acetic, propionic, isobutyric,maleic, malonic, benzoic, succinic, suberic, fumaric, lactic, mandelic,phthalic, benzenesulfonic, p-tolylsulfonic, citric, tartaric,methanesulfonic, and the like. Also included are salts of amino acidssuch as arginate and the like, and salts of organic acids likeglucuronic or galactunoric acids and the like (see, e.g., Berge et al.,Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 66:1-19 (1977)). Certain specificcompounds of the present invention contain both basic and acidicfunctionalities that allow the compounds to be converted into eitherbase or acid addition salts. Other pharmaceutically acceptable carriersknown to those of skill in the art are suitable for the presentinvention.

The neutral forms of the compounds may be regenerated by contacting thesalt with a base or acid and isolating the parent compound in theconventional manner. The parent form of the compound differs from thevarious salt forms in certain physical properties, such as solubility inpolar solvents, but otherwise the salts are equivalent to the parentform of the compound for the purposes of the present invention.

In addition to salt forms, the present invention provides compoundswhich are in a prodrug form. Prodrugs of the compounds described hereinare those compounds that readily undergo chemical changes underphysiological conditions to provide the compounds of the presentinvention. Additionally, prodrugs can be converted to the compounds ofthe present invention by chemical or biochemical methods in an ex vivoenvironment. For example, prodrugs can be slowly converted to thecompounds of the present invention when placed in a transdermal patchreservoir with a suitable enzyme or chemical reagent.

Certain compounds of the present invention can exist in unsolvated formsas well as solvated forms, including hydrated forms. In general, thesolvated forms are equivalent to unsolvated forms and are intended to beencompassed within the scope of the present invention. Certain compoundsof the present invention may exist in multiple crystalline or amorphousforms. In general, all physical forms are equivalent for the usescontemplated by the present invention and are intended to be within thescope of the present invention.

The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising aneffective amount a compound described herein and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. In an embodiment, compound is administered to thesubject using a pharmaceutically-acceptable formulation, e.g., apharmaceutically-acceptable formulation that provides sustained deliveryof the compound to a subject for at least 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours,48 hours, one week, two weeks, three weeks, or four weeks after thepharmaceutically-acceptable formulation is administered to the subject.

Actual dosage levels and time course of administration of the activeingredients in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may bevaried so as to obtain an amount of the active ingredient which iseffective to achieve the desired therapeutic response for a particularpatient, composition, and mode of administration, without being toxic(or unacceptably toxic) to the patient.

In use, at least one compound according to the present invention isadministered in a pharmaceutically effective amount to a subject in needthereof in a pharmaceutical carrier by intravenous, intramuscular,subcutaneous, or intracerebro ventricular injection or by oraladministration or topical application. In accordance with the presentinvention, a compound of the invention may be administered alone or inconjunction with a second, different therapeutic. By “in conjunctionwith” is meant together, substantially simultaneously or sequentially.In one embodiment, a compound of the invention is administered acutely.The compound of the invention may therefore be administered for a shortcourse of treatment, such as for about 1 day to about 1 week. In anotherembodiment, the compound of the invention may be administered over alonger period of time to ameliorate chronic disorders, such as, forexample, for about one week to several months depending upon thecondition to be treated.

By “pharmaceutically effective amount” as used herein is meant an amountof a compound of the invention, high enough to significantly positivelymodify the condition to be treated but low enough to avoid serious sideeffects (at a reasonable benefit/risk ratio), within the scope of soundmedical judgment. A pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound ofthe invention will vary with the particular goal to be achieved, the ageand physical condition of the patient being treated, the severity of theunderlying disease, the duration of treatment, the nature of concurrenttherapy and the specific compound employed. For example, atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of the inventionadministered to a child or a neonate will be reduced proportionately inaccordance with sound medical judgment. The effective amount of acompound of the invention will thus be the minimum amount which willprovide the desired effect.

A decided practical advantage of the present invention is that thecompound may be administered in a convenient manner such as byintravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral orintra-cerebroventricular injection routes or by topical application,such as in creams or gels. Depending on the route of administration, theactive ingredients which comprise a compound of the invention may berequired to be coated in a material to protect the compound from theaction of enzymes, acids and other natural conditions which mayinactivate the compound. In order to administer a compound of theinvention by other than parenteral administration, the compound can becoated by, or administered with, a material to prevent inactivation.

The compound may be administered parenterally or intraperitoneally.Dispersions can also be prepared, for example, in glycerol, liquidpolyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, and in oils.

Some examples of substances which can serve as pharmaceutical carriersare sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches such as cornstarch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodiumcarboxymethycellulose, ethylcellulose and cellulose acetates; powderedtragancanth; malt; gelatin; talc; stearic acids; magnesium stearate;calcium sulfate; vegetable oils, such as peanut oils, cotton seed oil,sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil of theobroma; polyols such aspropylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, manitol, and polyethylene glycol;agar; alginic acids; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; and phosphatebuffer solution; skim milk powder; as well as other non-toxic compatiblesubstances used in pharmaceutical formulations such as Vitamin C,estrogen and echinacea, for example. Wetting agents and lubricants suchas sodium lauryl sulfate, as well as coloring agents, flavoring agents,lubricants, excipients, tableting agents, stabilizers, anti-oxidants andpreservatives, can also be present. Solubilizing agents, including forexample, cremaphore and beta-cyclodextrins can also used in thepharmaceutical compositions herein.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the active compounds of thepresently disclosed subject matter (or prodrugs thereof) can bemanufactured by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating,dragee-making levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping orlyophilization processes. The compositions can be formulated inconventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptablecarriers, diluents, excipients or auxiliaries which facilitateprocessing of the active compounds into preparations which can be usedpharmaceutically.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently disclosed subject mattercan take a form suitable for virtually any mode of administration,including, for example, topical, ocular, oral, buccal, systemic, nasal,injection, transdermal, rectal, vaginal, and the like, or a formsuitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation.

For topical administration, the active compound(s) or prodrug(s) can beformulated as solutions, gels, ointments, creams, suspensions, and thelike.

Systemic formulations include those designed for administration byinjection, e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecalor intraperitoneal injection, as well as those designed for transdermal,transmucosal, oral, or pulmonary administration.

Useful injectable preparations include sterile suspensions, solutions oremulsions of the active compound(s) in aqueous or oily vehicles. Thecompositions also can contain formulating agents, such as suspending,stabilizing and/or dispersing agent. The formulations for injection canbe presented in unit dosage form (e.g., in ampules or in multidosecontainers) and can contain added preservatives.

Alternatively, the injectable formulation can be provided in powder formfor reconstitution with a suitable vehicle, including but not limited tosterile pyrogen free water, buffer, dextrose solution, and the like,before use. To this end, the active compound(s) can be dried by anyart-known technique, such as lyophilization, and reconstituted prior touse.

For transmucosal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrierto be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are knownin the art.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions can take theform of, for example, lozenges, tablets or capsules prepared byconventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such asbinding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidoneor hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose,microcrystalline cellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants(e.g., magnesium stearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potatostarch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodiumlauryl sulfate). The tablets can be coated by methods well known in theart with, for example, sugars or enteric coatings.

Liquid preparations for oral administration can take the form of, forexample, elixirs, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they can bepresented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitablevehicle before use. Such liquid preparations can be prepared byconventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such assuspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives orhydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin oracacia); non aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethylalcohol or fractionated vegetable oils); and preservatives (e.g., methylor propyl p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). The preparations also cancontain buffer salts, preservatives, flavoring, coloring and sweeteningagents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration can be suitably formulated to givecontrolled release of the active compound or prodrug, as is well known.

For buccal administration, the compositions can take the form of tabletsor lozenges formulated in a conventional manner.

For rectal and vaginal routes of administration, the active compound(s)can be formulated as solutions (for retention enemas), suppositories, orointments containing conventional suppository bases, such as cocoabutter or other glycerides.

For nasal administration or administration by inhalation orinsufflation, the active compound(s) or prodrug(s) can be convenientlydelivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressurized packs or anebulizer with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g.,dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane,dichlorotetrafluoroethane, fluorocarbons, carbon dioxide or othersuitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit canbe determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsulesand cartridges for use in an inhaler or insufflator (for examplecapsules and cartridges comprised of gelatin) can be formulatedcontaining a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base suchas lactose or starch.

A specific example of an aqueous suspension formulation suitable fornasal administration using commercially-available nasal spray devicesincludes the following ingredients: active compound or prodrug (0.5-20mg/ml); benzalkonium chloride (0.1-0.2 mg/mL); polysorbate 80 (TWEEN®80; 0.5-5 mg/ml); carboxymethylcellulose sodium or microcrystallinecellulose (1-15 mg/ml); phenylethanol (1-4 mg/ml); and dextrose (20-50mg/ml). The pH of the final suspension can be adjusted to range fromabout pH5 to pH7, with a pH of about pH 5.5 being typical.

For prolonged delivery, the active compound(s) or prodrug(s) can beformulated as a depot preparation for administration by implantation orintramuscular injection. The active ingredient can be formulated withsuitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (e.g., as an emulsion in anacceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly solublederivatives, e.g., as a sparingly soluble salt. Alternatively,transdermal delivery systems manufactured as an adhesive disc or patchwhich slowly releases the active compound(s) for percutaneous absorptioncan be used. To this end, permeation enhancers can be used to facilitatetransdermal penetration of the active compound(s). Suitable transdermalpatches are described in for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,407,713;5,352,456; 5,332,213; 5,336,168; 5,290,561; 5,254,346; 5,164,189;5,163,899; 5,088,977; 5,087,240; 5,008,110; and 4,921,475, each of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, other pharmaceutical delivery systems can be employed.Liposomes and emulsions are well-known examples of delivery vehiclesthat can be used to deliver active compound(s) or prodrug(s). Certainorganic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) also can be employed.

The pharmaceutical compositions can, if desired, be presented in a packor dispenser device which can contain one or more unit dosage formscontaining the active compound(s). The pack can, for example, comprisemetal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenserdevice can be accompanied by instructions for administration.

The active compound(s) or prodrug(s) of the presently disclosed subjectmatter, or compositions thereof, will generally be used in an amounteffective to achieve the intended result, for example in an amounteffective to treat or prevent the particular disease being treated. Thecompound(s) can be administered therapeutically to achieve therapeuticbenefit or prophylactically to achieve prophylactic benefit. Bytherapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of theunderlying disorder being treated and/or eradication or amelioration ofone or more of the symptoms associated with the underlying disorder suchthat the patient reports an improvement in feeling or condition,notwithstanding that the patient can still be afflicted with theunderlying disorder. For example, administration of a compound to apatient suffering from an allergy provides therapeutic benefit not onlywhen the underlying allergic response is eradicated or ameliorated, butalso when the patient reports a decrease in the severity or duration ofthe symptoms associated with the allergy following exposure to theallergen. As another example, therapeutic benefit in the context ofasthma includes an improvement in respiration following the onset of anasthmatic attack, or a reduction in the frequency or severity ofasthmatic episodes. Therapeutic benefit also includes halting or slowingthe progression of the disease, regardless of whether improvement isrealized.

For prophylactic administration, the compound can be administered to apatient at risk of developing one of the previously described diseases.A patient at risk of developing a disease can be a patient havingcharacteristics placing the patient in a designated group of at riskpatients, as defined by an appropriate medical professional or group. Apatient at risk may also be a patient that is commonly or routinely in asetting where development of the underlying disease that may be treatedby administration of a metalloenzyme inhibitor according to theinvention could occur. In other words, the at risk patient is one who iscommonly or routinely exposed to the disease or illness causingconditions or may be acutely exposed for a limited time. Alternatively,prophylactic administration can be applied to avoid the onset ofsymptoms in a patient diagnosed with the underlying disorder.

The amount of compound administered will depend upon a variety offactors, including, for example, the particular indication beingtreated, the mode of administration, whether the desired benefit isprophylactic or therapeutic, the severity of the indication beingtreated and the age and weight of the patient, the bioavailability ofthe particular active compound, and the like. Determination of aneffective dosage is well within the capabilities of those skilled in theart.

Effective dosages can be estimated initially from in vitro assays. Forexample, an initial dosage for use in animals can be formulated toachieve a circulating blood or serum concentration of active compoundthat is at or above an IC50 of the particular compound as measured in asin vitro assay, such as the in vitro fungal MIC or MFC and other invitro assays described in the Examples section. Calculating dosages toachieve such circulating blood or serum concentrations taking intoaccount the bioavailability of the particular compound is well withinthe capabilities of skilled artisans. For guidance, see Fingl &Woodbury, “General Principles,” In: Goodman and Gilman's ThePharmaceutical Basis of Therapeutics, Chapter 1, pp. 1-46, latestedition, Pagamonon Press, and the references cited therein, which areincorporated herein by reference.

Initial dosages also can be estimated from in vivo data, such as animalmodels. Animal models useful for testing the efficacy of compounds totreat or prevent the various diseases described above are well-known inthe art.

Dosage amounts will typically be in the range of from about 0.0001 or0.001 or 0.01 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day, but can be higher orlower, depending upon, among other factors, the activity of thecompound, its bioavailability, the mode of administration, and variousfactors discussed above. Dosage amount and interval can be adjustedindividually to provide plasma levels of the compound(s) which aresufficient to maintain therapeutic or prophylactic effect. In cases oflocal administration or selective uptake, such as local topicaladministration, the effective local concentration of active compound(s)cannot be related to plasma concentration. Skilled artisans will be ableto optimize effective local dosages without undue experimentation.

The compound(s) can be administered once per day, a few or several timesper day, or even multiple times per day, depending upon, among otherthings, the indication being treated and the judgment of the prescribingphysician.

Preferably, the compound(s) will provide therapeutic or prophylacticbenefit without causing substantial toxicity. Toxicity of thecompound(s) can be determined using standard pharmaceutical procedures.The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic (or prophylactic) effect isthe therapeutic index. Compounds(s) that exhibit high therapeuticindices are preferred.

The recitation of a listing of chemical groups in any definition of avariable herein includes definitions of that variable as any singlegroup or combination of listed groups. The recitation of an embodimentfor a variable herein includes that embodiment as any single embodimentor in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof. Therecitation of an embodiment herein includes that embodiment as anysingle embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments orportions thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the use of a compound asdescribed herein (e.g., of any formulae herein) in the manufacture of amedicament for use in the treatment of a metalloenzyme-mediated disorderor disease. Another object of the present invention is the use of acompound as described herein (e.g., of any formulae herein) for use inthe treatment of a metalloenzyme-mediated disorder or disease. Anotherobject of the present invention is the use of a compound as describedherein (e.g., of any formulae herein) in the manufacture of anagricultural composition for use in the treatment or prevention of ametalloenzyme-mediated disorder or disease in agricultural or agrariansettings.

Agricultural Applications

The compounds and compositions herein can be used in methods ofmodulating metalloenzyme activity in a microorganism on a plantcomprising contacting a compound (or composition) herein with the plant(e.g., seed, seedling, grass, weed, grain). The compounds andcompositions herein can be used to treat a plant, field or otheragricultural area (e.g., as herbicides, pesticides, growth regulators,etc.) by administering the compound or composition (e.g., contacting,applying, spraying, atomizing, dusting, etc.) to the subject plant,field or other agricultural area. The administration can be either pre-or post-emergence. The administration can be either as a treatment orpreventative regimen.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be demonstrated using specific examplesthat are not to be construed as limiting.

General Experimental Procedures

Definitions of variables in the structures in schemes herein arecommensurate with those of corresponding positions in the formulaedelineated herein.

Synthesis of 1 or 1a

A process to prepare enantiopure compound 1 or 1a is disclosed.Syntheses of 1 or 1a may be accomplished using the example synthesesthat are shown below (Schemes 1-4). The preparation of precursor ketone3-Br is performed starting with reaction of 2,5-dibromopyridine withethyl 2-bromo-difluoroacetate to produce ester 2-Br. This ester can bereacted with morpholine to furnish morpholine amide 2b-Br, followed byarylation to provide ketone 3-Br. Alternatively, ketone 3-Br can beafforded directly from ester 2-Br as shown in Scheme 1.

Ketone 3 may be prepared in an analogous fashion as described in Scheme1 starting from corresponding substituted 2-bromo-pyridines, which canbe prepared according to synthetic transformations known in the art andcontained in the references cited herein (Scheme 2).

Alternatively, compound 1 can be prepared according to Scheme 3utilizing diols 2-6b (or 2-6d, the enantiomer of 2-6b, or mixturesthereof) or 2-6a (or 2-6c, the enantiomer of 2-6a, or mixtures thereof).Olefins 2-5a and 2-5 can be prepared by reacting ketones 3 and 1-4 underWittig olefination conditions (e.g., Ph₃PCH₃Br and BuLi). Also, asindicated in Scheme 5, any of pyridine compounds, 3, 2-5a, 2-6b, 2-7b,4*, 4b, or 6 can be converted to the corresponding 4-CF₃CH₂O-Ph analogs(e.g., 1-4, 2-5, 2-6a, 2-7a, 5*, 1-6*, or 1 or the correspondingenantiomers, or mixtures thereof) by cross-coupling with4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane(or the corresponding alkyl boronates or boronic acid or the like), in asuitable solvent system (e.g., an organic-aqueous solvent mixture), inthe presence of a transition metal catalyst (e.g., (dppf)PdCl₂), and inthe presence of a base (e.g., KHCO₃, K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃, or Na₂CO₃, or thelike). Olefins 2-5a and 2-5 can be transformed to the correspondingchiral diols, 2-6b (or 2-6d, the enantiomer of 2-6b, or mixturesthereof) or 2-6a (or 2-6c, the enantiomer of 2-6a, or mixtures thereof),through exposure to Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation conditions: 1)commercially available AD-mix alpha or AD-mix beta with or withoutadditional osmium oxidant and methanesulfonamide, 2) combination of acatalytic osmium oxidant (e.g., OsO₄ or K₂OsO₂(OH)₄), a stoichiometriciron oxidant (e.g., K₃Fe(CN)₆), a base (e.g., KHCO₃, K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃, orNa₂CO₃, or the like), and a chiral ligand (e.g., (DHQ)₂PHAL,(DHQD)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂AQN, (DHQ)₂AQN, (DHQD)₂PYR, or (DHQ)₂PYR; preferably(DHQ)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂PHAL, (DHQD)₂AQN, and (DHQD)₂PYR), or 3) option 2)with methanesulfonamide. The primary alcohol of the resultant chiraldiols, 2-6b (or 2-6d, the enantiomer of 2-6b, or mixtures thereof) or2-6a (or 2-6c, the enantiomer of 2-6a, or mixtures thereof), can then beactivated to afford compounds 2-7b (or 2-7d, the enantiomer of 2-7b, ormixtures thereof) or 2-7a (or 2-7c, the enantiomer of 2-7a, or mixturesthereof). For example, the mesylates can be prepared by exposing chiraldiols, 2-6b (or 2-6d, the enantiomer of 2-6b, or mixtures thereof) or2-6a (or 2-6c, the enantiomer of 2-6a, or mixtures thereof), tomethanesulfonyl chloride and a base. Epoxide formation can be affectedby the base-mediated (e.g., KHCO₃, K₂CO₃, Cs₂CO₃, or Na₂CO₃, or thelike) ring closure of compounds 2-7b (or 2-7d, the enantiomer of 2-7b,or mixtures thereof) or 2-7a (or 2-7c, the enantiomer of 2-7a, ormixtures thereof) to provide epoxides 4* (or 4c*, the enantiomer of 4*,or mixtures thereof) and 5* (or 5-b*, the enantiomer of 5*, or mixturesthereof). The epoxides can then be converted into amino-alcohols 4b (or4c, the enantiomer of 4b, or mixtures thereof) and 1-6* (or 1-7*, theenantiomer of 1-6*, or mixtures thereof) through ammonia-mediatedepoxide opening using ammonia in a suitable solvent (e.g., MeOH, EtOH,or water). Subsequent treatment with TMS-azide in the presence oftrimethylorthoformate and sodium acetate in acetic acid would yieldcompounds 6 (or 6a, the enantiomer of 6, or mixtures thereof) or 1 (or1a, the enantiomer of 1, or mixtures thereof) (U.S. Pat. No. 4,426,531).

Compound 1 (or 1a, the enantiomer of 1, or mixtures thereof) prepared byany of the methods presented herein can be converted to a sulfonic saltof formula IX (or IXa, the enantiomer of IX, or mixtures thereof), asshown in Scheme 4. This can be accomplished by a) combining compound 1(or 1a, the enantiomer of 1, or mixtures thereof), a crystallizationsolvent or crystallization solvent mixture (e.g., EtOAc, iPrOAc, EtOH,MeOH, or acetonitrile, or combinations thereof), and a sulfonic acid

(e.g., Z=Ph, p-tolyl, Me, or Et), b) diluting the mixture with anappropriate crystallization co-solvent or crystallization co-solventmixture (e.g., pentane, methyl t-butylether, hexane, heptane, ortoluene, or combinations thereof), and c) filtering the mixture toobtain a sulfonic acid salt of formula IX (or IXa, the enantiomer of IX,or mixtures thereof).

The following describes the HPLC method used in assessing HPLC purity ofthe examples and intermediates presented below:

Column: Waters XBridge Shield RP18, 4.6×150 mm, 3.5 μm

Mobile Phase: A=0.05% TFA/H₂O, B=0.05% TFA/ACN

Autosampler flush: 1:1 ACN/H₂O

Diluent: 1:1 ACN/H₂O

Flow Rate: 1.0 ml/min

Temperature: 45° C.

Detector: UV 275 nm

Pump Parameters:

Step Segment Time A B Curve 0 0.5 80.0 20.0 0 1 15.0 60.0 40.0 1 2 10.015.0 85.0 1 3 5.0 0.0 100.0 1 4 2.0 0.0 100.0 0 5 8.0 80.0 20.0 0

Example 1 Preparation of ethyl2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2,2-difluoroacetate (2-Br)

In a clean multi-neck round bottom flask, copper powder (274.7 g, 2.05eq) was suspended in dimethyl sulfoxide (3.5 L, 7 vol) at 20-35° C.Ethyl bromodifluoroacetate (449 g, 1.05 eq) was slowly added to thereaction mixture at 20-25° C. and stirred for 1-2 h. 2,5-dibromopyridine (500 g, 1 eq) was added to the reaction mixture andthe temperature was increased to 35-40° C. The reaction mixture wasmaintained at this temperature for 18-24 h and the reaction progress wasmonitored by GC.

After the completion of the reaction, ethyl acetate (7 L, 14 vol) wasadded to the reaction mixture and stirring was continued for 60-90 minat 20-35° C. The reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite bed (100g; 0.2 times w/w Celite and 1 L; 2 vol ethyl acetate). The reactor waswashed with ethyl acetate (6 L, 12 vol) and the washings were filteredthrough a Celite bed. The Celite bed was finally washed with ethylacetate (1 L, 2 vol) and all the filtered mother liquors were combined.The pooled ethyl acetate solution was cooled to 8-10° C., washed withthe buffer solution (5 L, 10 vol) below 15° C. (Note: The addition ofbuffer solution was exothermic in nature. Controlled addition of bufferwas required to maintain the reaction mixture temperature below 15° C.).The ethyl acetate layer was washed again with the buffer solution until(7.5 L; 3×5 vol) the aqueous layer remained colorless. The organic layerwas washed with a 1:1 solution of 10% w/w aqueous sodium chloride andthe buffer solution (2.5 L; 5 vol). The organic layer was thentransferred into a dry reactor and the ethyl acetate was distilled underreduced pressure to get crude 2-Br.

The crude 2-Br was purified by high vacuum fractional distillation andthe distilled fractions having 2-Br purity greater than 93% (with thedialkylated not more than 2% and starting material less than 0.5%) werepooled together to afford 2-Br.

Yield after distillation: 47.7% with >93% purity by GC (pale yellowliquid). Another 10% yield was obtained by re-distillation of impurefractions resulting in overall yield of ˜55-60%.

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz): 8.85 (1H, d,1.6 Hz), 8.34 (1H, dd, J=2.0 Hz, 6.8 Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 4.33(2H, q, J=6.0 Hz), 1.22 (3H, t, J=6.0 Hz). BC NMR: 162.22 (t, —C═O),150.40 (Ar—C—), 149.35 (t, Ar—C), 140.52 (Ar—C), 123.01 (Ar—C), 122.07(Ar—C), 111.80 (t, —CF₂), 63.23 (—OCH₂—), 13.45 (—CH₂CH₃).

Example 2 Preparation of2-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2,2-difluoroethanone(3-Br)

A. One-Step Method

1-Bromo-2,4-difluorobenzene (268.7 g; 1.3 eq) was dissolved in methyltert butyl ether (MTBE, 3.78 L, 12.6 vol) at 20-35° C. and the reactionmixture was cooled to −70 to −65° C. using acetone/dry ice bath. n-Butyllithium (689 mL, 1.3 eq; 2.5 M) was then added to the reaction mixturemaintaining the reaction temperature below −65° C. (Note: Controlledaddition of the n-Butyl Lithium to the reaction mixture was needed tomaintain the reaction mixture temperature below −65° C.). Aftermaintaining the reaction mixture at this temperature for 30-45 min, 2-Br(300 g, 1 eq) dissolved in MTBE (900 mL, 3 vol) was added to thereaction mixture below −65° C. The reaction mixture was continued tostir at this temperature for 60-90 min and the reaction progress wasmonitored by GC. The reaction was quenched by slow addition of 20% w/wammonium chloride solution (750 mL, 2.5 vol) below −65° C. The reactionmixture was gradually warmed to 20-35° C. and an additional amount of20% w/w ammonium chloride solution (750 mL, 2.5 vol) was added. Theaqueous layer was separated, the organic layer was washed with a 10% w/wsodium bicarbonate solution (600 mL, 2 vol) followed by a 5% sodiumchloride wash (600 mL, 2 vol). The organic layer was dried over sodiumsulfate (60 g; 0.2 times w/w), filtered and the sodium sulfate waswashed with MTBE (300 mL, 1 vol). The organic layer along with washingswas distilled below 45° C. under reduced pressure until no more solventwas collected in the receiver. The distillation temperature wasincreased to 55-60° C., maintained under vacuum for 3-4 h and cooled to20-35° C. to afford 275 g (73.6% yield, 72.71% purity by HPLC) of 3-Bras a pale yellow liquid.

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz): 8.63 (1H, d,1.6 Hz, Ar—H), 8.07-8.01 (2H, m, 2×Ar—H), 7.72 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz, Ar—H),7.07-6.82 (1H, m, Ar—H), 6.81-6.80 (1H, m, Ar—H). ¹³C NMR: 185.60 (t,—C═O), 166.42 (dd, Ar—C—), 162.24 (dd, Ar—C), 150.80 (Ar—C), 150.35(Ar—C), 140.02 (Ar—C), 133.82 (Ar—C), 123.06 (Ar—C), 1122.33 (Ar—C),118.44 (Ar—C), 114.07 (—CF₂—), 122.07 (Ar—C), 105.09 (Ar—C).

B. Two-Step Method Via 2b-Br

2-Br (147.0 g) was dissolved in n-heptane (1.21 L) and transferred to a5-L reactor equipped with overhead stirrer, thermocouple, condenser andaddition funnel. Morpholine (202 ml) was added. The solution was heatedto 60° C. and stirred overnight. The reaction was complete by HPLCanalysis (0.2% 2-Br; 94.7% 2b-Br). The reaction was cooled to roomtemperature and 1.21 L of MTBE was added. The solution was cooled to ˜4°C. and quenched by slow addition of 30% citric acid (563 ml) to maintainthe internal temperature <15° C. After stirring for one hour the layerswere allowed to settle and were separated (Aq. pH=5). The organic layerwas washed with 30% citric acid (322 ml) and 9% NaHCO₃ (322 ml, aq. pH7+ after separation). The organic layer was concentrated on the rotaryevaporator (Note 1) to 454 g (some precipitation started immediately andincreased during concentration). After stirring at room temperature thesuspension was filtered and the product cake was washed with n-heptane(200 ml). The solid was dried in a vacuum oven at room temperature toprovide 129.2 g (77%) dense powder. The purity was 96.5% by HPLCanalysis.

To a 1-L flask equipped with overhead stirring, thermocouple, condenserand addition funnel was added magnesium turnings (14.65 g), THF (580 ml)and 1-bromo-2,4-difluorobenzene (30.2 g, 0.39 equiv). The mixture wasstirred until the reaction initiated and self-heating brought thereaction temperature to 44° C. The temperature was controlled with acooling bath as the remaining 1-bromo-2,4-difluorobenzene (86.1 g, 1.11equiv) was added over about 30 min. at an internal temperature of 35-40°C. The reaction was stirred for 2 hours while gradually cooling to roomtemperature. The dark yellow solution was further cooled to 12° C.

During the Grignard formation, a jacketed 2-L flask equipped withoverhead stirring, thermocouple, and addition funnel was charged withmorpholine amide 2b-Br (129.0 g) and THF (645 ml). The mixture wasstirred at room temperature until the solid dissolved, and then thesolution was cooled to −8.7° C. The Grignard solution was added viaaddition funnel over about 30 min. at a temperature of −5 to 0° C. Thereaction was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour and endpointed by HPLCanalysis. The reaction mixture was cooled to −5° C. and quenched by slowaddition of 2N HCl over 1 hour at <10° C. The mixture was stirred for0.5 h then the layers were allowed to settle and were separated. Theaqueous layer was extracted with MTBE (280 ml). The combined organiclayers were washed with 9% NaHCO₃ (263 g) and 20% NaCl (258 ml). Theorganic layer was concentrated on the rotary evaporator with THF rinsesto transfer all the solution to the distillation flask. Additional THF(100 ml) and toluene (3×100 ml) were added and distilled to removeresidual water from the product. After drying under vacuum, the residuewas 159.8 g of a dark brown waxy solid (>theory). The purity wasapproximately 93% by HPLC analysis.

Example 3 Preparation of3-amino-1-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoropropan-2-ol(+4b-Br)

4-Br (200 g, 1 eq) was added into methanolic ammonia (8.0 L; 40 vol;ammonia content: 15-20% w/v) in an autoclave at 10−20° C. The reactionmixture was gradually heated to 60-65° C. and at 3-4 kg/cm′ under sealedconditions for 10-12 h. The reaction progress was monitored by GC. Aftercompletion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to 20-30° C.and released the pressure gradually. The solvent was distilled underreduced pressure below 50° C. and the crude obtained was azeotroped withmethanol (2×600 mL, 6 vol) followed by with isopropanol (600 mL, 2 vol)to afford 203 g (96.98% yield, purity by HPLC: 94.04%) of ±4b-Br.

Example 4 Preparation of3-amino-1-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoropropan-2-ol(4b-Br or 2c-Br)

Amino alcohol ±4b-Br (150 g, 1 eq) was dissolved in anisopropanol/acetonitrile mixture (1.5 L, 8:2 ratio, 10 vol) andDi-p-toluoyl-L-tartaric acid (L-DPTTA) (84.05 g, 0.55 eq) was added intothe reactor at 20-30° C. The reaction mixture was heated to 45-50° C.for 1-1.5 h (Note: The reaction mixture becomes clear and then becameheterogeneous). The reaction mixture was gradually cooled to 20-30° C.and stirred for 16-18 h. The progress of the resolution was monitored bychiral HPLC analysis.

After the completion of the resolution, the reaction mixture wasgradually cooled to 20-35° C. The reaction mixture was filtered and thefiltered solid was washed with a mixture of acetonitrile and isopropanol(8:2 mixture, 300 mL, 2 vol) and dried to afford 75 g of the L-DPTTAsalt (95.37% ee). The L-DPTTA salt obtained was chirally enriched bysuspending the salt in isopropanol/acetonitrile (8:2 mixture; 750 mL, 5vol) at 45-50° C. for 24-48 h. The chiral enhancement was monitored bychiral HPLC; the solution was gradually cooled to 20-25° C., filteredand washed with an isoporpanol/acetonitrile mixture (8:2 mixture; 1vol). The purification process was repeated and after filtration, thesalt resulted in chiral purity greater than 96% ee. The filteredcompound was dried under reduced pressure at 35-40° C. to afford 62 g ofthe enantio-enriched L-DPPTA salt with 97.12% ee as an off-white solid.The enantio-enriched L-DPTTA salt (50 g, 1 eq) was dissolved in methanol(150 mL, 3 vol) at 20-30° C. and a potassium carbonate solution (18.05 gK₂CO₃ in 150 mL water) was slowly added at 20-30° C. under stirring. Thereaction mixture was maintained at this temperature for 2-3 h (pH of thesolution at was maintained at 9). Water (600 mL, 12 vol) was added intothe reaction mixture through an additional funnel and the reactionmixture was stirred for 2-3 h at 20-30° C. The solids were filtered;washed with water (150 mL, 3 vol) and dried under vacuum at 40-45° C. toafford 26.5 g of amino alcohol 4b-Br or 4c-Br with 99.54% chemicalpurity, 99.28% ee as an off-white solid. (Water content of the chiralamino alcohol is below 0.10% w/w).

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz): 8.68 (1H, d,J=2.0 Hz, Ar—H), 8.16 (1H, dd, J=8.0 Hz, 2.0 Hz, Ar—H), 7.49-7.43 (1H,m, Ar—H), 7.40 (1H, d, J=8 Hz, Ar—H), 7.16-7.11 (1H, m, Ar—H), 7.11-6.99(1H, m, Ar—H), 3.39-3.36 (1H, m, —OCH_(A)H_(B)—), 3.25-3.22 (1H, m,—OCH_(A)H_(B)—). ¹³C NMR: 163.87-158.52 (dd, 2×Ar—C—), 150.88 (Ar—C),149.16 (Ar—C), 139.21 (Ar—C), 132.39 (Ar—C), 124.49 (Ar—C), 122.17(Ar—C), 121.87 (d, Ar—C), 119.91 (t, —CF₂—), 110.68 (Ar—C), 103.97 (t,Ar—C), 77.41 (t, —C—OH), 44.17 (—CH₂—NH₂).

Example 5 Preparation of1-(5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol(1-6*-Br or 1-7*-Br)

4b-Br or 4c-Br (20.0 g, 1 eq.) was added to acetic acid (50 mL, 2.5 vol)at 25-35° C. followed by the addition of anhydrous sodium acetate (4.32g, 1 eq), trimethyl orthoformate (15.08 g, 2.7 eq). The reaction mixturewas stirred for 15-20 min at this temperature and trimethylsilyl azide(12.74 g, 2.1 eq) was added to the reaction mixture (Chilled water wascirculated through the condenser to minimize the loss of trimethylsilylazide from the reaction mixture by evaporation). The reaction mixturewas then heated to 70-75° C. and maintained at this temperature for 2-3h. The reaction progress was monitored by HPLC. Once the reaction wascomplete, the reaction mixture was cooled to 25-35° C. and water (200mL, 10 vol) was added. The reaction mixture was extracted with ethylacetate (400 mL, 20 vol) and the aqueous layer was back extracted withethyl acetate (100 mL, 5 vol). The combined organic layers were washedwith 10% potassium carbonate solution (3×200 mL; 3×10 vol) followed by a10% NaCl wash (1×200 mL, 10 vol). The organic layer was distilled underreduced pressure below 45° C. The crude obtained was azeotroped withheptanes (3×200 mL) to get 21.5 g (94% yield, 99.26 5 purity) oftetrazole 1-6* or 1-7* compound as pale brown solid (low melting solid).

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz NMR instrument):9.13 (1H, Ar—H), 8.74 (1H, Ar—H), 8.22-8.20 (1H, m, Ar—H), 7.44 (1H, d,J=7.2 Hz, Ar—H), 7.29 (1H—Ar—H), 7.23-7.17 (1H, m, Ar—H), 6.92-6.88 (1H,Ar—H), 5.61 (1H, d, J=11.2 Hz, —OCH_(A)H_(B)—), 5.08 (1H, d, J=5.6 Hz,—OCH_(A)H_(B)—). ¹³C NMR: 163.67-161.59 (dd, Ar—C—), 160.60-158.50 (dd,Ar—C—), 149.65 (Ar—C), 144.99 (Ar—C), 139.75 (Ar—C), 131.65 (Ar—C),124.26 (Ar—C), 122.32 (d, Ar—C), 119.16 (t, —CF₂—), 118.70 (d, Ar—C),111.05 (d, Ar—C) 104.29 (t, Ar—C), 76.79 (t, —C—OH), 59.72 (Ar—C), 50.23(—OCH₂N—).

Example 6 Preparation of2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1-(5-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol(1 or 1a)

A Preparation of 1 or 1a Via 1-6*-Br or 1-7*-Br

Synthesis of4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane

Potassium carbonate (59.7 g, 2.2 eq.) was added to a slurry of DMF (190mL, 3.8 Vol.), 4-Bromo phenol (37.4 g, 1.1 eq.) and 2,2,2-trifluroethyltosylate (50.0 g, 1.0 eq.) at 20-35° C. under an inert atmosphere. Thereaction mixture was heated to 115-120° C. and maintained at thistemperature for 15-18 h. The reaction progress was monitored by GC. Thereaction mixture was then cooled to 20-35° C., toluene (200 mL, 4.0vol.) and water (365 mL, 7.3 vol.) were added at the same temperature,stirred for 10-15 minutes and separated the layers. The aqueous layerwas extracted with toluene (200 mL, 4.0 vol.). The organic layers werecombined and washed with a 2M sodium hydroxide solution (175 mL, 3.5vol.) followed by a 20% sodium chloride solution (175 mL, 3.5 vol.). Theorganic layer was then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered.The toluene layer was transferred into clean reactor, spurged with argongas for not less than 1 h. Bis(Pinacolato) diborane (47 g, 1.1 eq.),potassium acetate (49.6 g, 3.0 eq.) and 1,4-dioxane (430 mL, 10 vol.)were added at 20-35° C., and spurged the reaction mixture with argon gasfor at least 1 h. Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (6.88 g, 0.05 eq) was added to thereaction mixture and continued the argon spurging for 10-15 minutes. Thereaction mixture temperature was increased to 70-75° C., maintained thetemperature under argon atmosphere for 15-35 h and monitored thereaction progress by GC. The reaction mixture was cooled to 20-35° C.,filtered the reaction mixture through a Celite pad, and washed withethyl acetate (86 mL, 2 vol.). The filtrate was washed with water (430mL, 10 vol.). The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (258mL, 6 vol.) and washed the combined organic layers with a 10% sodiumchloride solution (215 mL, 5 vol.). The organic layer was dried overanhydrous sodium sulfate (43 g, 1 time w/w), filtered and concentratedunder reduced pressure below 45° C. to afford crude4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane(65 g; 71% yield with the purity of 85.18% by GC). The crude4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane(65 g, 1 eq.) was dissolved in 10% ethyl acetate-n-Heptane (455 mL, 7vol.) and stirred for 30-50 minutes at 20−35° C. The solution wasfiltered through a Celite bed and washed with 10% ethyl acetate inn-Heptane (195 mL, 3 vol.). The filtrate and washings were pooledtogether, concentrated under vacuum below 45° C. to afford4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolaneas a thick syrup (45.5 g; 70% recovery). This was then dissolved in 3%ethyl acetate-n-heptane (4 vol.) and adsorbed on 100-200 M silica gel (2times), eluted through silica (4 times) using 3% ethylacetate-n-heptane. The product rich fractions were pooled together andconcentrated under vacuum. The column purified fractions (>85% pure)were transferred into a round bottom flask equipped with a distillationset-up. The compound was distilled under high vacuum below 180° C. andcollected into multiple fractions. The purity of fractions was analyzedby GC (should be >98% with single max impurity <1.0%). The less purefractions (>85% and <98% pure fraction) were pooled together and thedistillation was repeated to get 19 g (32% yield) of4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolaneas a pale yellow liquid.

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d⁶; 400 MHz): 7.64 (2H, d,6.8 Hz), 7.06 (2H, d, J=6.4 Hz), 4.79 (2H, q, J=6.8 Hz), 1.28 (12H, s).

¹³C NMR: 159.46 (Ar—C—O—), 136.24 (2×Ar—C—), 127.77-120.9 (q, —CF₃),122.0 (Ar—C—B), 114.22 (2×Ar—C—), 64.75 (q, J=27.5 Hz).

Synthesis of2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1-(5-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol(1 or 1a)

1-6*-Br or 1-7*-Br (14 g, 0.03 mol, 1 eq) was added to tetrahydrofuran(168 mL, 12 vol) at 25-35° C. and the resulting solution was heated to40-45° C. The reaction mixture was maintained at this temperature for20-30 min under argon bubbling. Sodium carbonate (8.59 g, 0.08 mol, 2.5eq) and water (21 mL, 1.5 vol) were added into the reaction mixture andthe bubbling of argon was continued for another 20-30 min.4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane(10.76 g, 1.1 eq) dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (42 mL, 3 vol) was addedinto the reaction mixture and argon bubbling was continued for 20-30min. Pd(dppf)Cl₂ (2.65 g, 0.1 eq) was added to the reaction mixtureunder argon bubbling and stirred for 20-30 min (Reaction mixture turnedinto dark red color). The reaction mixture was heated to 65-70° C. andmaintained at this temperature for 3-4 h. The reaction progress wasmonitored by HPLC. The reaction mixture was cooled to 40-45° C. and thesolvent was distilled under reduced pressure. Toluene (350 mL, 25 vol.)was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 10-15 min followed bythe addition of water (140 mL, 10 vol). The reaction mixture wasfiltered through Hyflo (42 g, 3 times), the layers were separated andthe organic layer was washed with water (70 mL, 5 vol) and a 20% w/wsodium chloride solution (140 mL, 10 vol). The organic layer was treatedwith charcoal (5.6 g, 0.4 times, neutral chalrcoal), filtered throughHyflo. (1S)-10-Camphor sulfonic acid (7.2 g, 1 eq.) was added to thetoluene layer and the resulting mixture was heated to 70-75° C. for 2-3h. The reaction mixture was gradually cooled to 25-35° C. and stirredfor 1-2 h. The solids were filtered, washed with toluene (2×5 vol.) andthen dried under vacuum below 45° C. to afford 18.0 g of an off whitesolid. The solids (13.5 g, 1 eq.) were suspended in toluene (135 mL, 10vol) and neutralized by adding 1M NaOH solution (1.48 vol, 1.1 eq) at25-35° C. and stirred for 20-30 min. Water (67.5 mL, 5 vol) was added tothe reaction mixture and stirred for 10-15 min, and then the layers wereseparated. The organic layer was washed with water (67.5 mL, 5 vol) toremove the traces of CSA. The toluene was removed under reduced pressurebelow 45° C. to afford crude 1 or 1a. Traces of toluene were removed byazeotroping with ethanol (3×10 vol), after which light brown solid ofcrude 1 or 1a (7.5 g, 80% yield) was obtained.

The crude 1 or 1a (5 g) was dissolved in ethanol (90 mL, 18 vol.) at20-35° C., and heated to 40-45° C. Water (14 vol) was added to thesolution at 40-45° C., the solution was maintained at this temperaturefor 30-45 min and then gradually cooled to 20-35° C. The resultingsuspension was continued to stir for 16-18 h at 20-35° C., an additionalamount of water (4 vol.) was added and the stirring continued for 3-4 h.The solids were filtered to afford 4.0 g (80% recovery) of 1 or 1a (HPLCpurity >98%) as an off-white solid.

¹H NMR: δ values with respect to TMS (DMSO-d₆; 400 MHz): 9.15 (1H, s,Ar—H), 8.93 (1H, d, J=0.8 Hz, Ar—H), 0.8.22-8.20 (1H, m, Ar—H), 7.80(2H, d, J=6.8 Hz, Ar—H), 7.52 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz, Ar—H), 7.29 (1H, d,J=3.2 Hz, Ar—H), 7.27-7.21 (1H, m, Ar—H), 7.23-7.21 (2H, d, J=6.8 Hz,Ar—H), 7.19 (1H, d, J=6.8 Hz, Ar—H), 6.93-6.89 (1H, m, Ar—H), 5.68 (1H,J=12 Hz, —CH_(A)H_(B)), 5.12 (2H, d, J=11.6 Hz, —CH_(A)H_(B)), 4.85 (2H,q, J=7.6 Hz).

¹³C NMR: 163.93-158.33 (m, 2×Ar—C), 157.56 (Ar—C), 149.32 (t, Ar—C),146.40 (Ar—C), 145.02 (Ar—C), 136.20 (Ar—C), 134.26 (2×Ar—C),131.88-131.74 (m, AR-C), 129.72 (Ar—C), 128.47 (2×Ar—C), 123.97 (q,—CF₂—), 122.41 (Ar—C), 119.30 (—CF₃), 118.99 (Ar—C), 115.65 (2×Ar—C),110.99 (d, Ar—C), 104.22 (t, Ar—C), 77.41-76.80 (m, Ar—C), 64.72 (q,—OCH₂—CF₃), 50.54 (—CH₂—N—).

B. Preparation of 1 or 1a Via 4b-Br or 4c-Br

Synthesis of3-amino-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-1-(5-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol(8a or 8b)

Potassium carbonate (30.4 g) and water (53.3 g) were charged to a 1-Lflask equipped with overhead stirring, thermocouple, and nitrogen/vacuuminlet valve, and stirred until dissolved. The boronic acid (19.37 g), asolution of 4b-Br or 4c-Br in 2-butanol (103.5 g, 27.8 g theoretical4b-Br or 4c-Br)) and 2-BuOH (147.1 g) were added and stirred to form aclear mixture. The flask was evacuated and refilled with nitrogen 3times. Pd(dppf)₂C12 (0.30 g) was added and stirred to form a lightorange solution. The flask was evacuated and refilled with nitrogen 4times. The mixture was heated to 85° C. and stirred overnight andendpointed by HPLC analysis. The reaction mixture was cooled to 60° C.and the layers were allowed to settle. The aqueous layer was separated.The organic layer was washed with 5% NaCl solution (5×100 ml) at 30-40°C. The organic layer was filtered and transferred to a clean flask withrinses of 2-BuOH. The combined solution was 309.7 g, water content 13.6wt % by KF analysis. The solution was diluted with 2-BuOH (189 g) andwater (10 g). Theoretically the solution contained 34.8 g product, 522ml (15 volumes) of 2-BuOH, and 52.2 ml (1.5 volumes) of water.L-Tartaric acid (13.25 g) was added and the mixture was heated to atarget temperature of 70-75° C. During the heat-up, a thick suspensionformed. After about 15 minutes at 70-72° C. the suspension became fluidand easily stirred. The suspension was cooled at a rate of 10° C./hourto 25° C. then stirred at 25° C. for about 10 hours. The product wascollected on a vacuum filter and washed with 10:1 (v/v) 2-BuOH/water (50ml) and 2-butanol (40 ml). The salt was dried in a vacuum oven at 60° C.with a nitrogen purge for 2 days. The yield was 40.08 g of 8a or 8b as afluffy, grayish-white solid. The water content was 0.13 wt % by KFanalysis. The yield was 87.3% with an HPLC purity of 99.48%.

Synthesis of2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-difluoro-3-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1-(5-(4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl)pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol(1 or 1a)

To a 350 ml pressure bottle were charged acetic acid (73 ml), 8a or 8b(34.8 g), sodium acetate (4.58 g) and trimethylorthoformate (16.0 g).The mixture was stirred for 18 min. at room temperature until a uniformsuspension was obtained. Azidotrimethylsilane (8.88 g) was added and thebottle was sealed. The bottle was immersed in an oil bath andmagnetically stirred. The oil bath was at 52° C. initially, and waswarmed to 62-64° C. over about ½ hour. The suspension was stirred at62-64° C. overnight. After 20.5 hours the suspension was cooled to roomtemperature and sampled. The reaction was complete by HPLC analysis. Thereaction was combined with three other reactions that used the same rawmaterial lots and general procedure (total of 3.0 g additional startingmaterial). The combined reactions were diluted with ethyl acetate (370ml) and water (368 ml) and stirred for about ½ hour at room temperature.The layers were settled and separated. The organic layer was washed with10% K₂CO₃ solution (370 ml/397 g) and 20% NaCl solution (370 ml/424 g).The organic layer (319 g) was concentrated, diluted with ethanol (202 g)and filtered, rinsed with ethanol (83 g). The combined filtrate wasconcentrated to 74 g of amber solution.

The crude 1 or 1a solution in ethanol (74 g solution, containingtheoretically 31.9 g 1 or 1a) was transferred to a 2-L flask equippedwith overhead stirring, thermocouple, and addition funnel. Ethanol (335g) was added including that used to complete the transfer of the 1 or 1asolution. The solution was heated to nominally 50° C. and water (392 g)was added over 12 minutes. The resulting hazy solution was seeded with 1or 1a crystals and stirred at 50° C. After about ½ hour the mixture wasallowed to cool to 40° C. over about ½ hour during which timecrystallization started. Some darker colored chunky solid separated outfrom the main suspension. The pH of the crystallizing mixture wasadjusted from 4.5 to 6 using 41% KOH (1.7 g). After about 1 hour a goodsuspension had formed. Additional water (191 g) was added slowly over ½hour. The suspension was heated to 50° C. and cooled at 5° C./min toroom temperature. After stirring overnight the suspension was cooled ina water bath to 16° C. and filtered after 1 hour. The wet cake waswashed with 55:45 (v/v) water/ethanol (2×50 ml) and air-dried on thevacuum filter funnel overnight. Further drying at 40° C. in a vacuumoven with a nitrogen bleed resulted in no additional weight loss. Theyield was 30.2 g of off-white fine powder plus some darker granularmaterial. By in-process HPLC analysis there was no difference in thechemical purity of the darker and lighter materials. The purity was99.4%. The water content was 2.16 wt % by KF analysis. The residualethanol was 1.7 wt % estimated by ¹H NMR analysis. The corrected yieldwas 29.0 g, 91.0% overall yield for tetrazole formation andcrystallization. The melting point was 65° C. by DSC analysis.

Incorporation by Reference

The contents of all references (including literature references, issuedpatents, published patent applications, and co-pending patentapplications) cited throughout this application are hereby expresslyincorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents of the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents areintended with be encompassed by the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A compound of formula IVb:

wherein R is

 and each R₁₂ is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl,optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionallysubstituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or optionallysubstituted heterocyclyl.
 2. A compound of formula VI* or VIa*, or amixture thereof:

wherein R is

 and each Y₁ is independently OH, —OSO₂-alkyl, —OSO₂-substituted alkyl,—OSO₂-aryl, —OSO₂-substituted aryl, —O(C═O)-alkyl, —O(C═O)-substitutedalkyl, —O(C═O)-aryl, —O(C═O)-substituted aryl, or halogen; and each R₁₂is independently H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substitutedalkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,optionally substituted cycloalkyl, or optionally substitutedheterocyclyl.